Media content search results ranked by popularity

ABSTRACT

Media content search results ranked by popularity is described. In embodiment(s), a search request for television media content can be initiated by a viewer, and television media content that is relevant to the search request can be identified. The relevant television media content can then be ranked based on a popularity rating and the relevant television media content can be displayed in an ordered list that is ordered by popularity rankings.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/871,510, filed May 11, 2020, which is acontinuation Ser. No. 16/839,736, filed Apr. 3, 2020, which is acontinuation and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/509,195, filed Jul. 11, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,694,256, which isa continuation and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/923,429, filed Mar. 16, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,652,621, which isa continuation and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/377,129, filed Dec. 13, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,948,991, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/174,655, filed Jun. 6, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,554,193, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/064,111, filed Mar. 8, 2016, abandoned, which is a continuation ofand claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/915,411,filed Jun. 11, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,025, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/846,442, filed Jul. 29, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,478,750, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/716,236, filed Mar. 9, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,801,888, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

As the variety of television programming and media content sourcescontinues to increase, viewers may want to locate television mediacontent and programming choices that may be of interest to them. Inaddition to scheduled television program broadcasts, television viewingoptions also include on-demand choices which enable a viewer to searchfor and request media content for viewing when convenient rather than ata scheduled broadcast time.

A viewer can initiate a search for a list of television programmingchoices in a program guide (also commonly referred to as an electronicprogram guide or “EPG”). A search is typically based on text-stringmatching, and an alphabetical list of programs and/or movies is filteredand returned in response to the search request. Another type of searchfor television programming choices is a field-based search, such as asearch for “new movies” or “sports”. Text-string matching is a fairlylimited form of searching, in that a viewer's results will be limited toa set of programs that happen to have the search string in a particularfield, and therefore the search results are dependent on what themetadata creators add to the field descriptions. This leads to theviewer obtaining results that either do not have the desired program orbury the desired program in a long list of results because many programshave the same text-string. In addition, if a viewer misspells a searchterm, the search system can return unwanted results or even no resultsat all.

Unwanted, too many, or even no search results can lead to viewerdissatisfaction when wanting to locate television programming that maybe of interest to the viewer. In addition, a search initiated via aprogram guide may be cumbersome for a viewer who enters the searchterm(s) with a remote control device. Further, a slowly delivered searchresponse from a search system of a content provider can increase thefrustration of repeated searching for the viewer.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of mediacontent search results ranked by popularity. The simplified concepts arefurther described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is notintended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter,nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

In embodiments, a search request for television media content can beinitiated by a viewer, and the television media content that is relevantto the search request can be identified. The relevant television mediacontent can then be ranked based on a popularity rating and the relevanttelevision media content can be displayed in an ordered list that isordered by popularity rankings.

In other embodiments, a television client device can receive a searchrequest for television media content, and a search module can identifythe television media content that is relevant to the search request. Atracking module can track one or more searches for the television mediacontent, information requests, programming choices, recordings, and/ornew television media content to develop a popularity rating. Thetracking module can then rank the relevant television media contentbased on the popularity rating to determine popular media content. Alist of the popular media content can be displayed to include likelyviewer choices. The tracking module can be implemented as a component ofthe television client device, as a component of a content provider thatprovides the television media content to the television client device,or as a component of both.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of media content search results ranked by popularity aredescribed with reference to the following drawings. The same numbers areused throughout the drawings to reference like features and components:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system in which embodiments of mediacontent search results ranked by popularity can be implemented.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example system in which embodiments of mediacontent search results ranked by popularity can be implemented.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example tracking module having popularity metadatafrom which a list of popular media content can be generated inembodiments of media content search results ranked by popularity.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example user interface that displays an orderedlist of search results for television media content that are ordered bypopularity rankings in embodiments of media content search resultsranked by popularity.

FIG. 5 illustrates example method(s) for media content search resultsranked by popularity in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates various components of an example client device whichcan implement embodiments of media content search results ranked bypopularity.

FIG. 7 illustrates various devices and components in an exampleentertainment and information system in which embodiments of mediacontent search results ranked by popularity can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments of media content search results ranked bypopularity enables a viewer to enter search term(s) to initiate a searchrequest for television media content, and to receive a list of mediacontent whose identification and ordering is informed by a popularitymeasure, such as a popularity rating. The list of media content can beorganized based on the popularity of the television media content asdetermined from tracked television media content. The television mediacontent, such as programs, movies, music, on-demand media content,network-based applications, and the like, can be tracked to identify andrank the media content that a viewer or viewers would likely search andrequest for viewing. The popularity of the tracked media content can beestimated to provide a viewer with likely programming choices forviewing, rather than simply returning an alphabetical list of televisionviewing selections when a viewer initiates a search request.

While features and concepts of the described systems and methods formedia content search results ranked by popularity can be implemented inany number of different environments, computing systems, entertainmentsystems, and/or other various configurations, embodiments of mediacontent search results ranked by popularity are described in the contextof the following example systems and environments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 in which various embodiments ofmedia content search results ranked by popularity can be implemented. Inthis example, system 100 includes a television client device 102, adisplay device 104, content provider(s) 106, and input devices 108, suchas a remote control device and/or a computer keyboard. The displaydevice 104 can be implemented as any type of television, LCD, or similartelevision-based display system that renders audio, video, and/or imagedata. The client device 102 and display device 104 together are just oneexample of a television client system, examples of which are describedwith reference to the example entertainment and information system shownin FIG. 7 .

Client device 102 can be implemented as any one or combination of atelevision set-top box, a digital video recorder (DVR) and playbacksystem, an appliance device, a gaming console, and/or as any other typeof television client device or computing-based device that may beimplemented in a television entertainment and information system. Inthis example, client device 102 includes one or more processor(s) 110,media content 112 (e.g., received media content or media content that isbeing received), and recording media 114 that maintains recorded mediacontent 116.

Client device 102 also includes a tracking module 118, a search module120, and a program guide application 122, all of which can beimplemented as computer-executable instructions and executed by theprocessor(s) 110 to implement embodiments of media content searchresults ranked by popularity. Additionally, client device 102 can beimplemented with any number and combination of differing components asfurther described with reference to the example client device shown inFIG. 6 .

Although the tracking module 118, search module 120, and program guideapplication 122 are each illustrated and described as singleapplications, each can be implemented as several component applicationsor modules distributed to perform one or more functions of media contentsearch results ranked by popularity. Further, although the trackingmodule 118, search module 120, and program guide application 122 areillustrated and described as separate applications, the tracking module118, search module 120, and/or program guide application 122 can beimplemented together as a single application in the client device 102 toimplement embodiments of media content search results ranked bypopularity.

The media content 112 and/or the recorded media content 116 can includetelevision programs (or programming), which may be any form of programs,commercials, music, movies, and video on-demand media content. Othermedia content can include interactive games, network-based applications,music streamed from a computing device to the client device 102, as wellas any other audio, video, and/or image content received from any typeof media content source.

The recording media 114 along with a playback application can beimplemented as a DVR system to record and maintain the recorded mediacontent 116. The television client device 102 can be configured forcommunication with the content provider(s) 106 via a communicationnetwork 124, which in this example can include an IP-based network asdescribed with reference to the communication network(s) shown in FIGS.2 and 6 . Client device 102 receives the media content 112 and/or therecorded media content 116 from content server(s) of the contentprovider(s) 106 via the communication network 124. The communicationnetwork 124 can be implemented using any type of network topology and/orcommunication protocol, and can be represented or otherwise implementedas a combination of two or more networks.

In one or more embodiments, the tracking module 118 can be implementedto track various aspects of television programming and recordings at theclient device 102. For example, the tracking module 118 can tracktelevision programming choices selected by a viewer who interacts withthe client device 102; searches for television media content initiatedby a viewer; the recorded media content 116; listings for new televisionmedia content; and/or any other type of requests for television mediacontent initiated by a viewer at client device 102.

The tracking module 118 can include popularity metadata 126 from which apopularity rating for television media content can be determined orgenerated. The popularity of television media content can be determinedaccording to a popularity factor, ranking, and/or index when trackingvarious aspects of television programming and recordings at clientdevice 102. The popularity metadata 126 can include data and real-timetracking information corresponding to viewer programming choices (e.g.,specific shows or a series of programs that a viewer selects to watch),search requests for media content, recordings, information requests, newtelevision media content, and the like.

Further, the popularity metadata 126 can include the data and trackinginformation corresponding to one or multiple viewers. For example, manysearch requests from different viewers can be encompassed in themetadata associated with a particular program. The tracking module 118can then determine the popularity of the particular program based on howoften the media content is selected for viewing, recording, informationrequests, and/or any other type of viewer interaction. The trackingmodule 118 can also be implemented for collaborative filtering toidentify a series of programs as popular media content for a viewer atthe client device 102.

In addition to the traditional metadata associated with television mediacontent, such as a title, the actors, a genre, and a description of themedia content, the popularity metadata 126 can include the tracking dataas well as additional information. For example, the popularity metadata126 can include ratings from ratings providers, such as NIELSEN and/orARBITRON data for a previous week, month, or other duration toapproximate how many viewers watched a particular program.

The popularity metadata 126 can also include projected popularityrankings for new and/or upcoming television media content that willlikely be requested often by many viewers. For example, the ranking ofprogramming associated with the SUPER BOWL can be increased in advanceof when the SUPER BOWL is played. In addition, the popularity metadata126 can include any other popularity metrics upon which to base apopularity factor, ranking, and/or index to determine popular mediacontent.

In one or more embodiments, client device 102 includes the program guideapplication 122 that can be implemented to process program guide datafrom which a program guide can be rendered and/or displayed for viewingon display device 104. A program guide may also be commonly referred toas an electronic program guide or an “EPG”. In this example, a programguide search interface 128 is displayed on display device 104 andincludes a search input field 130 via which a viewer can input searchterm(s) to initiate a search request for television media content. Aviewer can input the search term(s) to initiate the search requestutilizing an input device 108, such as the remote control.

In an embodiment, the search module 120 can receive a search request fortelevision media content when initiated by a viewer, and identify thetelevision media content that is relevant to the search request. Thetracking module 118 can then rank the relevant television media contentbased on a popularity rating and the relevant television media contentcan be displayed in an ordered list that is ordered by popularityrankings. The relevant television media content can include one or morelikely viewer choices of popular media content displayed in the orderedlist.

In an embodiment, the search results for television media content caninclude relevant media content based on a partial match to a search termof a viewer-initiated search request. For example, a viewer may enteronly “Super” as shown on the display device 104 in the search inputfield 130. The search module 120 may identify many different mediacontent choices having a partial match to the search term “Super”. Fromthe identified media content that is relevant to the search request, thetracking module 118 can determine that the viewer is likely requestingtelevision media content associated with the SUPER BOWL if the searchrequest is initiated at a time when the SUPER BOWL is an often requestedand/or anticipated event. For example, the popularity metadata 126associated with the SUPER BOWL will reflect many search, viewing, and/orrecording requests from multiple viewers. The tracking module 118 canthen rank the relevant television media content based on a popularityrating generated from the popularity metadata 126.

Once a viewer learns that a specific and/or complete text match is notnecessary when initiating a search request to find television mediacontent, the viewer can reduce the inputs needed via the search inputfield 130. Reducing the number of search inputs also makes searchingeasier for the viewer, particularly when utilizing the remote controlinput device 108 which can be cumbersome to enter the search characters.

In another embodiment, the search module 120 can be implemented toidentify media content that is relevant to a search request from thepopularity metadata 126 based on an incorrect search term of the searchrequest. For example, a viewer may want to watch a particular movie,such as a movie entitled “Irretrievably Broken”, but has forgotten thetitle of the movie. The viewer may inadvertently enter a search requestof “Retrievable”. If the entered text string “Retrievable” were comparedin a text-based search to the “title” metadata fields for televisionmedia content, a match to the sought after movie will not be located.However, the search module 120 can compare the entered text string“Retrievable” to the popularity metadata 126. A popularity result of themovie “Irretrievably Broken” which most closely matches the viewerrequest will be returned when the popularity metadata 126 associatedwith the movie reflects multiple search, viewing, and/or recordingrequests. The likely viewer choice can then be displayed in a list ofpopular media content from which the viewer can select to receive therequested movie for viewing.

In another example, the popularity of media content can optionally becustomized for a particular viewer in the popularity metadata 126. Forexample, a viewer may enter a search request for a particular word, suchas “Star”, in the search input field 130 on display device 104. Thesearch module 120 may identify the programs “Star Gazers” and “StarSingers” as relevant media content to the search request. The trackingmodule 118 may then rank “Star Gazers” as the most likely relevant mediacontent for the viewer because a history of this viewer's televisionprogramming choices in the popularity metadata 126 indicates that theviewer watches the program “Star Gazers”, even though the program “StarSingers” may currently be a more popular program among multiple viewers.

In another example, one friend may call another to say, “watch thereality show that is on right now”, and the called viewer can then entera search request for “Reality” in the search input field 130. The searchmodule 120 can receive the search request for “Reality” and compare thesearch term entry to the popularity metadata 126 and the “genre”metadata fields to locate the likely television reality program. Thereality show can be identified by the tracking module 118 as the likelyviewer choice because the program is currently being broadcast and hasbeen selected for viewing by many other viewers.

In an embodiment, the tracking module 118 can also rank television mediacontent that is identified as being relevant to a search request basedon a projected popularity of new television media content. When new orupcoming television media content is scheduled to be available, themedia content can be weighted to establish a popularity-basis for thenew media content.

In a projected popularity ranking scenario, or optionally a manualranking scenario, a network operator at a content provider 106 mayassume that an upcoming event or program will be popular and oftenrequested for viewing and/or recording. However, the upcoming event orprogram will not have any associated tracking and/or popularity metadatato indicate a popularity history of the program before the program isavailable for viewing. Projected rankings may therefore be accomplishedby manual assignment of popularity values to the upcoming media assetsto match the operator's prediction of the popularity of the media.Alternatively, popularity values can be derived from historical data(e.g. for an annual show, popularity ratings for the programhistorically), or popularity of the content in other media forms (e.g.for a new Pay-Per-View movie, the popularity ranking can be derived fromthe movie's success in the theatres).

The tracking module 118 can then rank the program having the weightedpopularity as a likely selectable viewing option for a viewer. Forexample, if a new movie that has been popular in the theatres is aboutto be released for video on-demand viewing, a network operator canproject the popularity of the movie by weighting it to influence thepopularity of the media content.

After the relevant television media content is identified by the searchmodule 120, the tracking module 118 can rank the relevant televisionmedia content based on a popularity rating to determine popular mediacontent in one or more embodiments. A list of the popular media content,or just the higher-ranking popular media content, can then be displayedon the display device 104 in response to a viewer-initiated searchrequest. An example of a list of popular media content is furtherdescribed with reference to the example shown in FIG. 3 . The mediacontent can be ranked according to viewer(s) programming choices,viewer(s) recording choices, information requests that are initiated orspawned from initial search results, and/or by any other metric by whichthe media content can be ranked.

In alternate embodiments of media content search results ranked bypopularity, a content provider 106 can be implemented to include atracking module. A tracking module at a content provider can also updatepopularity metadata to track the various aspects of televisionprogramming and recording selections of multiple viewers at multipletelevision client devices. These embodiments are further described withreference to the example system shown in FIG. 2 . Alternatively, bothcontent provider(s) and television client devices can include animplementation of tracking modules to track the television programmingand recording selections together, or optionally independently.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example system 200 in which variousembodiments of media content search results ranked by popularity can beimplemented. The system 200 includes a content provider 202 thatcommunicates media content 204 to any number “N” of various televisionclient systems 206(1-N) via a communication network 208. An example of acommunication network is described with reference to communicationnetwork 124, and examples of client devices in television client systemsare described with reference to television client device 102 as shown inFIG. 1 .

Each of the client systems 206(1-N) include a television client deviceand a respective display device, such as any type of television,monitor, LCD, or similar television-based display system that rendersaudio, video, and/or image data. Any of the client devices of the clientsystems 206(1-N) can be implemented as any one or combination of atelevision client device, a gaming system, or as any othercomputing-based device, such as a desktop computer, a portable computer,a television set-top box, a digital video recorder (DVR), an appliancedevice, a gaming console, and/or as any other type of computing-basedclient device. A television client device may also be associated with auser (i.e., a person) and/or an entity that operates a client devicesuch that a television client device describes logical clients thatinclude users, software, and/or devices.

Any of the television client devices of the respective client systems206(1-N) can be implemented with one or more processors, a communicationmodule, memory components, and a media content rendering system.Additionally, each of the television client devices can be configuredfor communication with any number of the different content providers toreceive any type of media content from the content provider(s) via thecommunication network 208. Further, any of the television client devicescan be implemented with any number and combination of differingcomponents as further described with reference to the example clientdevice shown in FIG. 6 .

In this example, content provider 202 includes a tracking module 210having popularity metadata 212. In one or more embodiments, trackingmodule 210 can be implemented to track various aspects of televisionprogramming and recordings at the client systems 206(1-N). For example,the tracking module 210 can track television programming choicesselected by multiple viewers that interact with the client devices;searches for television media content initiated by the multiple viewers;television media content recorded by the multiple viewers; listings fornew television media content; and/or any other type of requests fortelevision media content initiated by the multiple viewers at thevarious client systems 206(1-N).

The tracking module 210 can include popularity metadata 212 from whichthe more popular media content can be determined. The popularity oftelevision media content can be determined according to a popularityrating, factor, ranking, and/or index when tracking the various aspectsof television programming and recordings at the client systems 206(1-N).The tracking module 210 can determine or develop a popularity rating forparticular media content based on how often the media content isselected for viewing, recording, information requests, and/or any othertype of viewer interaction.

The popularity metadata 212 can include data and the real-time trackinginformation corresponding to viewer programming choices, search requestsfor media content, recordings, information requests, new televisionmedia content, and the like. In an embodiment, the real-time trackinginformation can be obtained via the communication network 208 whenimplemented as a network that includes a back-channel or other two-waycommunication link 214 between the content provider 202 and thetelevision client systems 206(1-N). In an IPTV system, such as shown inFIG. 7 , an IP-based network provides two-way communication via whichthe tracking module 210 receives real-time tracking information forviewer-initiated media content interactions at the client systems206(1-N).

Although data streams of media content are not shown specifically, thearrowed communication links 214 and the communication network 208illustrate various data communication links that include data streams ofmedia content. Additionally, it is contemplated that any one or more ofthe arrowed communication links 208, 214 can facilitate two-way datacommunication, such as from the content provider 202 to televisionclient system 206(1) and vice-versa.

The popularity metadata 212 can also include additional information,such as ratings from ratings providers 216 to approximate how manyviewers watched a particular program. The popularity metadata 212 canalso include projected popularity rankings for new and/or upcomingtelevision media content that will likely be requested often by manyviewers.

The tracking module 210 can receive a search request for televisionmedia content via the communication network 208 when the search requestis initiated by a viewer at a television client system 206(1-N). In oneor more embodiments, the tracking module 210 can be implemented to ranktelevision media content that is relevant to a search request based onthe popularity rating as determined from the popularity metadata 212. Alist of popular media content, or just the higher-ranking popular mediacontent, can then be displayed at a client system 206(1-N) in responseto a viewer-initiated search request.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example 300 of a tracking module 302 havingpopularity metadata 304 from which a popularity rating can bedetermined. Television media content that is relevant to a searchrequest can be ranked by the tracking module 302 based on the popularityrating. A list of popular media content 306 can be generated for displayon a display device 308 of a television client system 310 (to include atelevision client device 312). Features and embodiments of the trackingmodule 302 are described with reference to tracking module 118implemented at client device 102 as shown in FIG. 1 , and/or withreference to tracking module 210 implemented at content provider 202 asshown in FIG. 2 .

The popularity metadata 304 is one example of the popularity metadataincluded with the tracking modules and described with reference to FIGS.1 and 2 . In one or more embodiments, the tracking module 302 can beimplemented to track various television media content programming,recording, and information selections by a viewer or a group of viewers.The tracking module 302 then maintains information pertaining to thetracked television programming choices, recordings, and informationselections as the popularity metadata 304.

In this example, the popularity metadata 304 includes data and trackinginformation about television media content choices 314; televisionprogramming choices 316; searches for television media content 318;recorded television media content 320; information requests fortelevision media content 322; and/or new television media content 324.The tracking module 302 can rank television media content that isrelevant to a search request based on a popularity rating to determinepopular media content. The list of popular media content 306 can then begenerated to include all of the popular media content, or just thehigher-ranking popular media content. The list of popular media content306 can be displayed at the client system 310 in response to aviewer-initiated search request for media content. A viewer at clientdevice 312 can then select a programming choice from the list 306 with aremote control input device 326.

In one or more embodiments, the list of popular media content 306 can bedisplayed to optionally include paid placement of particular mediacontent at a position in the list that is more prominent than popularmedia content without paid placement. For example, a business method mayallow a content provider to pay for the placement of a new videoon-demand movie at a prominent position in the list for likely viewerselection. In an example, the list of popular media content 306 can bedisplayed to include paid placement of particular media content at afirst position 328 in the list. Alternatively, the list of popular mediacontent 306 can be displayed to include a likely viewer choice at thefirst position 328 in the list.

In this example, the list of popular media content 306 includes paidplacement of media content at the first position 328 in the list, andthen includes likely viewer choices at the subsequent positions 330 inthe list. For example, a likely viewer choice based on the televisionprogramming choices 316 of the viewer (e.g., a user history popularity)can be displayed at a second position in the list. Further, at least anadditional likely viewer choice based on the television programmingchoices of multiple viewers (e.g., a general history popularity) can bedisplayed at a third position in the list.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a user interface 400 that displays anordered list 402 of search results for television media content that areordered by popularity rankings. The ordered list 402 of search resultsis shown on a display device 404 of a television client system 406 thatincludes a television client device 408. The television media contentshown ranked in the list 402 can be displayed in response to aviewer-initiated search request for television media content. Forexample, user interface 400 includes a search input field 410 via whicha viewer can input search term(s) to initiate a search request fortelevision media content. A viewer can input the search term(s) toinitiate the search request utilizing an input device 412, such as aremote control.

In this example, a viewer may enter a search request for a particularword, such as “Star”, in the search input field 410 on display device404. A search module of client device 408 may then identify any numberof various programs, movies, and/or other media content corresponding tothe search term “Star”. A tracking module of client device 408 can thenrank the various programs, movies, and/or other media content (i.e. therelevant television media content) based on a popularity rating. Theordered list 402 of relevant television media content can then bedisplayed from which a viewer can select one of the media content forviewing with the remote control input device 412.

The ordered list 402 of search results for the television media contentis shown on display device 404 in a viewer-navigable grid 414 of aprogram guide that enables a viewer to navigate the grid and selectmedia content for viewing. In addition to the list of television mediacontent, the ordered list 402 can include any type of associated numericand/or channel designators as additional information about particulartelevision media content.

The viewer-navigable grid 414 can include a selectable control 416 shownimplemented as an on-screen focus that can be positioned to identifyparticular television media content and, when selected, initiatereceiving the program, movie, or other media content for viewing. Aviewer can move the selectable control 416 within the grid 414 andselect the various listed media content by manipulating the remotecontrol input device 412 via which the viewer can input control commands418.

In one or more embodiments, the ordered list 402 can be displayed tooptionally include paid placement of particular media content at aposition in the list that is more prominent than media content withoutpaid placement. For example, the new video on-demand movie “Battle StarWarriors” is positioned at a prominent position (e.g., at the top of thelist) for likely viewer selection. Alternatively, the ordered list 402of ranked television media content can be displayed to include a likelyviewer choice at the first position in the list.

Generally, any of the functions, methods, and modules described hereincan be implemented using hardware, software, firmware (e.g., fixed logiccircuitry), manual processing, or any combination thereof. A softwareimplementation of a function, method, or module represents program codethat performs specified tasks when executed on a computing-basedprocessor. Example method 500 described with reference to FIG. 5 may bedescribed in the general context of computer-executable instructions.Generally, computer-executable instructions can include applications,routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures,modules, functions, and the like that perform particular functions orimplement particular abstract data types. The method may also bepracticed in a distributed computing environment where functions areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment,computer-executable instructions may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media, including memory storage devices. Further, thefeatures described herein are platform-independent and the techniquesmay be implemented on a variety of computing platforms having a varietyof processors.

FIG. 5 illustrates example method(s) 500 of media content search resultsranked by popularity. The order in which the method is described is notintended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of thedescribed method blocks can be combined in any order to implement themethod, or an alternate method.

At block 502, television programming choices of a viewer or multipleviewers are tracked. For example, tracking module 118 (FIG. 1 ) tracksthe television programming choices of a viewer or multiple viewers attelevision client device 102. The tracking module 118 maintains thetracking information as popularity metadata 126. Alternatively, or inaddition, tracking module 210 (FIG. 2 ) at content provider 202 trackstelevision programming choices of multiple viewers at television clientsystems 206(1-N). The tracking module 210 maintains the trackinginformation as popularity metadata 212. Further, tracking module 302(FIG. 3 ) can track the television programming choices 316 of one ormore viewers at various television client devices. In an embodiment,real-time tracking information can be received from multiple viewers viaa two-way communication network, such as an IP-based communicationnetwork that facilitates a two-way communication link between contentprovider(s) and television client systems in an IPTV system.

At block 504, searches for television media content by a viewer ormultiple viewers are tracked. For example, tracking module 118 trackssearches for television media content by a viewer or multiple viewers atclient device 102. Similarly, tracking module 210 tracks searches fortelevision media content by multiple viewers at client systems 206(1-N),and/or tracking module 302 tracks searches for television media content318.

At block 506, television media content that is recorded by a viewer ormultiple viewers are tracked. For example, tracking module 118 trackstelevision media content that is recorded by a viewer or multipleviewers at client device 102. Similarly, tracking module 210 trackstelevision media content that is recorded by multiple viewers at clientsystems 206(1-N), and/or tracking module 302 tracks recorded televisionmedia content 320.

At block 508, information requests for television media content by aviewer or multiple viewers are tracked. For example, tracking module 118tracks information requests for or about television media content by aviewer or multiple viewers at client device 102. Similarly, trackingmodule 210 tracks information requests for television media content bymultiple viewers at client systems 206(1-N), and/or tracking module 302tracks information requests for television media content 322.

At block 510, a search request for television media content is received.For example, search module 120 receives a search request for televisionmedia content initiated by a viewer at client device 102. Similarly,tracking module 210 can receive search requests for television mediacontent that are initiated by multiple viewers at client systems206(1-N) (via communication network 208).

At block 512, television media content that is relevant to the searchrequest is identified. For example, search module 120 identifiestelevision media content that is relevant to a search request initiatedby a viewer at client device 102. The search results for televisionmedia content can include relevant media content based on a partialmatch to a search term of a viewer-initiated search request.Additionally, the search module 120 can identify media content that isrelevant to a search request from the popularity metadata 126 based onan incorrect search term of the search request.

At block 514, the relevant television media content is ranked based on apopularity rating. For example, tracking module 118 ranks the relevanttelevision media content at client device 102 based on a popularityrating to determine popular media content. The popularity rating isdetermined from the popularity metadata 126 according to viewerprogramming choices, viewer recording choices, information requests thatare initiated or spawned from initial search results, and/or by anyother metric by which the relevant television media content can beranked. Similarly, tracking module 210 ranks the relevant televisionmedia content for a viewer or multiple viewers at any of the clientsystems 206(1-N).

At block 516, a list of the relevant television media content isdisplayed in an ordered list that is ordered by popularity rankings. Forexample, the ordered list 402 of search results for television mediacontent can be displayed from which a viewer can select one of the mediacontent for viewing. The ordered list 402 is displayed to include therelevant television media content that is ordered by popularityrankings.

In another example, the list of popular media content 306 can begenerated for display on display device 308 of the television clientsystem 310 and a viewer can select a programming choice with the remotecontrol input device 326. The list of popular media content 306 can bedisplayed to include all of the popular media content, or just thehigher-ranking popular media content. The list of popular media content306 can also be displayed to include paid placement of particular mediacontent at a first position 328 in the list; a likely viewer choicebased on television programming choices of the viewer at a secondposition in the list; and at least an additional likely viewer choicebased on television programming choices of multiple viewers at a thirdposition in the list.

FIG. 6 illustrates various components of an example client device 600that can be implemented as any form of a computing, electronic, ortelevision client device to implement embodiments of media contentsearch results ranked by popularity. For example, client device 600 canbe implemented as client device 102 shown in FIG. 1 , and/or as any ofthe client devices of the client systems 206(1-N) shown in FIG. 2 . Invarious embodiments, client device 600 can be implemented as any one orcombination of a television client device, a gaming system, or as anyother computing-based device, such as a desktop computer, a portablecomputer, a television set-top box, a digital video recorder (DVR), anappliance device, a gaming console, and/or as any other type ofcomputing-based client device.

Client device 600 includes one or more media content inputs 602 that mayinclude Internet Protocol (IP) inputs over which streams of mediacontent are received via an IP-based network. Device 600 furtherincludes communication interface(s) 604 that can be implemented as anyone or more of a serial and/or parallel interface, a wireless interface,any type of network interface, a modem, and as any other type ofcommunication interface. A wireless interface enables client device 600to receive control input commands 606 and other information from aninput device, such as from remote control device 608, a portablecomputing-based device (such as a cellular phone) 610, or from anotherinfrared (IR), 802.11, Bluetooth, or similar RF input device.

A network interface provides a connection between client device 600 anda communication network by which other electronic and computing devicescan communicate data with device 600. Similarly, a serial and/orparallel interface provides for data communication directly betweenclient device 600 and the other electronic or computing devices. A modemfacilitates client device 600 communication with other electronic andcomputing devices via a conventional telephone line, a DSL connection,cable, and/or other type of connection.

Client device 600 also includes one or more processors 612 (e.g., any ofmicroprocessors, controllers, and the like) which process variouscomputer-executable instructions to control the operation of device 600,to communicate with other electronic and computing devices, and toimplement embodiments of media content search results ranked bypopularity. Client device 600 can be implemented with computer-readablemedia 614, such as one or more memory components, examples of whichinclude random access memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., any oneor more of a read-only memory (ROM), flash memory. EPROM, EEPROM, etc.),and a disk storage device. A disk storage device can include any type ofmagnetic or optical storage device, such as a hard disk drive, arecordable and/or rewriteable compact disc (CD), a DVD, a DVD+RW, andthe like.

Computer-readable media 614 provides data storage mechanisms to storevarious information and/or data such as software applications and anyother types of information and data related to operational aspects ofclient device 600. For example, an operating system 616 and/or otherapplication programs can be maintained as software applications with thecomputer-readable media 614 and executed on processor(s) 612 toimplement embodiments of media content search results ranked bypopularity.

Client device 600 can be implemented to include a program guideapplication 618 that is implemented to process program guide data andgenerate program guides for display. A program guide enables a viewer tonavigate through an onscreen display and locate various media contentsuch as broadcast programs, recorded programs, video on-demand programsand movies, interactive game selections, network-based applications, andother media content of interest to the viewer. In an embodiment, clientdevice 600 can also be implemented to include a search module 620 and atracking module 622 to implement embodiments of media content searchresults ranked by popularity. An example of search module 620 isdescribed with reference to search module 120 shown in FIG. 1 . Examplesof tracking module 622 are described with reference to tracking module118 shown in FIG. 1 , tracking module 210 shown in FIG. 2 , and withreference to tracking module 302 shown in FIG. 3 .

Client device 600 can also include a DVR system 624 with playbackapplication 626, and recording media 628 to maintain recorded mediacontent 630 that client device 600 receives and/or records. Further,client device 600 may access or receive additional recorded mediacontent that is maintained with a remote data store (not shown), such asfrom a video-on-demand server, or media content that is maintained at abroadcast center or content provider that distributes the media contentto subscriber sites and client devices. The playback application 626 isa video control application that can be implemented to control theplayback of media content, the recorded media content 630, and/or othervideo on-demand media content, music, and any other audio, video, and/orimage media content which can be rendered and/or displayed for viewing.

Client device 600 also includes an audio and/or video output 632 thatprovides audio and/or video data to an audio rendering and/or displaysystem 634. The audio rendering and/or display system 634 can includeany devices that process, display, and/or otherwise render audio, video,and image data. Video signals and audio signals can be communicated fromdevice 600 to a display device 636 via an RF (radio frequency) link,S-video link, composite video link, component video link, DVI (digitalvideo interface), analog audio connection, or other similarcommunication link. Alternatively, the audio rendering and/or displaysystem 634 can be implemented as integrated components of the exampleclient device 600. Client device 600 along with the audio renderingand/or display system 634 is an example of a viewing system that can beimplemented in a household viewing area for viewing television programsand/or receiving other television media content.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example entertainment and information system 700in which an IP-based television environment can be implemented, and inwhich embodiments of media content search results ranked by popularitycan be implemented. System 700 facilitates the distribution of mediacontent, program guide data, and advertising content to multiple viewersand to multiple viewing systems. System 700 includes a content provider702 and any number “N” of client systems 704(1-N) each configured forcommunication via a communication network 706. Each client system704(1-N) is an example of the client systems 206(1-N) described withreference to FIG. 2 . Each of the client systems 704(1-N) can receiveone or more data streams of media content, program content, programguide data, advertising content, closed captions data, and the like fromcontent sever(s) of the content provider 702 via the communicationnetwork 706.

The communication network 706 can be implemented as any one orcombination of a wide area network (e.g., the Internet), a local areanetwork (LAN), an intranet, an IP-based network, a broadcast network, awireless network, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networkinfrastructure, a point-to-point coupling infrastructure, or as anyother media content distribution network. Additionally, communicationnetwork 706 can be implemented using any type of network topology andany network communication protocol, and can be represented or otherwiseimplemented as a combination of two or more networks. A digital networkcan include various hardwired and/or wireless links 708(1-N), routers,gateways, and so on to facilitate communication between content provider702 and the client systems 704(1-N).

System 700 includes a media server 710 that receives media content froma content source 712, program guide data from a program guide source714, and advertising content from an advertisement source 716. In anembodiment, the media server 710 represents an acquisition server thatreceives the audio and video media content from content source 712, anEPG server that receives the program guide data from program guidesource 714, and/or an advertising management server that receives theadvertising content from the advertisement source 716.

The content source 712, the program guide source 714, and theadvertisement source 716 control distribution of the media content, theprogram guide data, and the advertising content to the media server 710and/or to other servers. The media content, program guide data, andadvertising content can be distributed via various transmission media718, such as satellite transmission, radio frequency transmission, cabletransmission, and/or via any number of other wired or wirelesstransmission media. In this example, media server 710 is shown as anindependent component of system 700 that communicates the programcontent, program guide data, and advertising content to content provider702. In an alternate implementation, media server 710 can be implementedas a component of content provider 702.

Content provider 702 is representative of a headend service in a contentdistribution system, for example, that provides the media content,program guide data, and advertising content to multiple subscribers(e.g., the client systems 704(1-N)). The content provider 702 can beimplemented as a satellite operator, a network television operator, acable operator, and the like to control distribution of media content,program and advertising content, such as movies, television programs,commercials, music, and other audio, video, and/or image content to theclient systems 704(1-N).

Content provider 702 includes various components to facilitate mediadata processing and content distribution, such as a subscriber manager720, a device monitor 722, and one or more content servers 724. Thesubscriber manager 720 manages subscriber data, and the device monitor722 monitors the client systems 704(1-N) (e.g., and the subscribers),and maintains monitored client state information.

Although the various managers, servers, and monitors of content provider702 (to include the media server 710 in one embodiment) are illustratedand described as distributed, independent components of content provider702, any one or more of the managers, servers, and monitors can beimplemented together as a multi-functional component of content provider702. Additionally, any one or more of the managers, servers, andmonitors described with reference to system 700 can implement featuresand embodiments of media content search results ranked by popularity.

The client systems 704(1-N) can each be implemented to include a clientdevice 726 and a display device 728 (e.g., a television, LCD, and thelike). A client device 726 of a client system 704 can be implemented inany number of embodiments, such as a set-top box, a digital videorecorder (DVR) and playback system, an appliance device, a gamingsystem, and as any other type of client device that may be implementedin an entertainment and information system. In an alternate embodiment,client system 704(N) is implemented with a computing device 730 as wellas a client device. Additionally, any of the client devices 726 of aclient system 704 can implement features and embodiments of mediacontent search results ranked by popularity as described herein.

Although embodiments of media content search results ranked bypopularity have been described in language specific to features and/ormethods, it is to be understood that the subject of the appended claimsis not necessarily limited to the specific features or methodsdescribed. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed asexample implementations of media content search results ranked bypopularity.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving a searchrequest for media content; identifying relevant media content that isrelevant to the search request; defining a first region of a display;and displaying within the first region of the display an ordered list ofthe relevant media content that is ordered based on a popularity rating,wherein paid placement of particular media content is at a firstposition in the ordered list.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising displaying a likely viewer choice based on media contentchoices of a viewer at a second position, wherein the second position inthe ordered list is above the first position in the ordered list.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising displaying an additional likelyviewer choice based on media content choices of the viewer at a thirdposition, wherein the third position in the ordered list is below thefirst position in the ordered list.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising tracking media content choices of a viewer who initiates thesearch request, and wherein the popularity rating is based at least inpart on the media content choices of the viewer.
 5. The method of claim1, further comprising tracking media content choices of multipleviewers, and wherein the popularity rating is based at least in part onthe media content choices of the multiple viewers.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising tracking other search requests for mediacontent, and wherein the popularity rating is based at least in part onthe other search requests for media content.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising tracking media content that is recorded, and whereinthe popularity rating is based at least in part on the media contentthat is recorded.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising trackinginformation requests for media content, and wherein the popularityrating is based at least in part on the information requests for themedia content.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the relevant mediacontent is identified based on an incorrect search term of the searchrequest.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the relevant media contentincludes new media content, and wherein the popularity rating is basedat least in part on a projected popularity of the new media content. 11.An apparatus comprising: control circuitry; and at least one memoryincluding computer program code for one or more programs, the at leastone memory and the computer program code configured to, with the controlcircuitry, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:receive a search request for media content; identify relevant mediacontent that is relevant to the search request; define a first region ofa display; and display within the first region of the display an orderedlist of the relevant media content that is ordered based on a popularityrating, wherein paid placement of particular media content is at a firstposition in the ordered list.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein theapparatus is further caused to display a likely viewer choice based onmedia content choices of a viewer at a second position, wherein thesecond position in the ordered list is above the first position in theordered list.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus isfurther caused to display an additional likely viewer choice based onmedia content choices of the viewer at a third position, wherein thethird position in the ordered list is below the first position in theordered list.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus isfurther caused to track media content choices of a viewer who initiatesthe search request, and wherein the popularity rating is based at leastin part on the media content choices of the viewer.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to track media contentchoices of multiple viewers, and wherein the popularity rating is basedat least in part on the media content choices of the multiple viewers.16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further causedto track other search requests for media content, and wherein thepopularity rating is based at least in part on the other search requestsfor media content.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatusis further caused to track media content that is recorded, and whereinthe popularity rating is based at least in part on the media contentthat is recorded.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatusis further caused to track information requests for media content, andwherein the popularity rating is based at least in part on theinformation requests for the media content.
 19. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the relevant media content is identified based on anincorrect search term of the search request.
 20. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the relevant media content includes new media content, andwherein the popularity rating is based at least in part on a projectedpopularity of the new media content.